TORONTO – Toronto high school students can help reduce e-waste and support local food banks under Rogers Communications new Phones-for-Food High School Challenge.
Today at Daily Bread Food Bank, with John Gerretsen, Ontario’s Minister of the Environment, grade 12 students from Earl Haig, Central Technical and RH King Academy High Schools entered the race to collect as many used wireless devices as possible over the next month.
The school that gathers the most cell phones per graduating student by March 26th will win $3,000 towards the graduating class’s commencement ceremonies. Second and third place schools will be awarded $1,250 and $750, respectively.
Participating schools will also receive the latest and slimmest XpressMusic phone from Nokia at the end of the Challenge – one phone per school – to use for their graduation fundraising initiatives.
"Today’s youth are more conscious than ever about the environment and about the needs of their community. The Rogers Phones-for-Food High School Challenge is designed to help high school students discover that, individually and collectively, they can make a difference,” said Rob Bruce, president, Rogers Wireless.
The Phones-for-Food program began in 2003 as an initiative by the Canadian Association of Food Banks (CAFB) in order to alleviate hunger and divert waste from landfill sites. In addition to money raised through the CAFB’s thINK FOOD program, almost $500,000 has been generated for food banks across the country to date. One wireless device, depending on its age and condition, can be worth up to $5 when donated, which is the equivalent to a jar of peanut butter, one carton of milk or even an entire meal.
"Last year in Toronto more than 75,000 people accessed our food bank every month," said Gail Nyberg, executive director, Daily Bread Food Bank. "People of all ages rely heavily on our programs and it’s great to see high schools on board and helping out. And, Rogers has truly been a leader in finding an easy and convenient way for its customers to donate their used wireless devices and help a noble cause."
